L to R: Chef Duayne Holligan, The Crane; Jérémy Dupire, The Cliff Beach Club; Petra Roach, BTMI Director US; Chef Kirk Kirton, Fairmont Royal Pavilion; Marcus Samuelsson, Chef and Restaurant Owner; Assistant Chef to Marcus Samuelson; Chef Andrew Nurse, Hilton Barbados.
Guests flocked to Harlem hot spot Red Rooster on Thursday for a coveted preview of the island’s tastiest festival – the sixth annual Barbados Food & Wine and Rum Festival taking place on-island November 19-22, 2015.
The festival’s fresh new look and star-studded line-up of culinary masters was previewed during the epicurean driven take-over of Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s swanky Ginny’s Supper Club, complete with costumed Crop Over dancers, steelpan drums and New York’s elite.
“I’ve been looking forward to a sandwich from Cuz’s all year,” exclaimed Marcus Samuelsson. “There is nothing better than waking up in Barbados, looking outside your window at the water and then indulging in the best culinary offerings the island has to offer—not to mention the rum.”
Truly a #NYBajanInvasion, top chefs from Barbados joined headliner Marcus Samuelsson in preparing a sampling of gourmet fare offering guests a sneak peak at the culinary experience available to festival goers. Featured Barbadian chefs included Andrew Nurse of Hilton Barbados; Kirk Kirton of Fairmont Royal Pavilion; The Crane’s Duayne Holligan; and Jérémy Dupire of The Cliff Beach Club.
Special guests WBLS DJ Dahved Levy and Barbadian Jazz saxophonist Elan Trotman provided a soulful background for the evening enjoyed by distinguished members of the Barbados family including Ambassador to the United Nations, his Excellency Mr. Tony Marshal, Consul General at New York for Barbados the honorable Dr. Donna Hunte-Cox, Chairman Mr. Alvin Jemmott, CEO BTMI Mr. Billy Griffith and Director of Finance Ms. Michelle Moore.
“Last night's event was an exceptional one where Barbados was able to attract the very best New York media and trade partners,” said Billy Griffith, BTMI CEO. “Our Barbadian chefs were the hit at this memorable occasion, and we are receiving numerous kudos on the food, entertainment and the wonderful atmosphere that was created. We certainly achieved our objective in truly raising the profile of Barbados as an epicurean center.”
Under the direction of BTMI Director USA, Petra Roach the VIP preview provided culinary connoisseurs with a glimpse into the festival’s new look for 2015 featuring a refined palette of all things Food & Wine and Rum.
